Payment of tuition, fees and other charges is due by August 15 for the fall semester and by January 15 for the spring semester and by the first day of class for the summer terms. Students registering after the deadline must make payment at the time of registration. Students may pay their tuition using the Monthly Payment Plan. Information on this option can be found at www.hood.edu/paymentplan or by calling the Accounting Office at 301-696-3609.

Referral to Collection Agency

By registering for classes, the student agrees that in the event the student becomes delinquent or defaults in paying charges due to Hood College, the student agrees to reimburse Hood College the fees of any collection agency, which may be based on a percentage at a maximum of 33 1/3% of the debt, and all cost and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, Hood College incurs in such collection efforts.

Withdrawal from the College and Refund Policy

Fall and Spring Semesters

Students who withdraw from Hood will have their fall and spring semester charges adjusted according to the schedule below:

There are no refunds of the room fee after the first day of classes. There are no refunds of tuition after the end of the drop-add period. Refunds of the board fee are continued on a pro rata weekly basis throughout the semester. There are no refunds of any fees (comprehensive, academic records, course audit or student teaching) once the semester has begun. This refund policy applies to students who withdraw from the College and to those who take a leave-of-absence during the semester.

Withdrawal refunds are determined by the effective date noted on the Change of Status or Leave of Absence Form filed with the Registrar’s Office for undergraduate students and the written withdrawal files with the Graduate Office for graduate students.

The Office of Financial Aid is required to recalculate federal financial aid eligibility for students who withdraw. Up through 60 percent of the semester, a pro rata schedule is used to determine how much federal aid a student has earned at the time of withdrawal. The portion of unearned aid must be returned to the federal programs. When unearned aid is returned, a student may owe the College additional funds.

Summer Terms

One-week and two-week terms

Tuition

Prior to first meeting of class

100 percent

Within the first 2 days from the first day of the term

80 percent

3rd day and thereafter

no refund

Three-week and four-week terms

Prior to first meeting of class

100 percent

Within the first 4 days from the first day of the term

80 percent

5th day and thereafter

no refund

Five-week and six-week terms

Prior to first meeting of class

100 percent

Within the first 7 calendar days from the first day of the term

80 percent

8th calendar day and thereafter

no refund

The Need-based Financial Aid System

The Office of Financial Aid, located on the third floor of the Joseph Henry Apple Academic Resource Center, administers both need-based and non-need-based financial awards and offers personalized assistance in obtaining other educational resources from outside sources

Hood College determines the type and amount of aid students may receive by evaluating the student’s financial need and availability of funds. Eligible students receive awards on a first-come, first-served basis.

Financial Need

To determine a student’s financial need, the student must complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Need for financial aid is determined by the following calculation:

To determine the EFC, the calculation formula used is the Federal Need Analysis set by the U.S. Department of Education. Factors that are taken into consideration include: family size, number of students in college, income and assets of both the student and parents and the age of the oldest parent.

Typically available by October 1 for the following academic year, students must complete the FAFSA fully and carefully to avoid delays in processing. FAFSA forms should be submitted online no later than February 15 to receive full consideration for all types of need-based aid. For Hood College to receive FAFSA results, list Hood’s school code, 002076, on the application.

Financial Award Package

After financial need is determined, the Office of Financial Aid can begin to put together a financial award “package.” Each student’s financial situation is different, so each package is unique. An award package will include one or more types of financial aid. The most common types include: scholarships, grants, loans and work-study.

All need-based awards are made in accordance with three criteria: enrollment in a degree-granting program at Hood College, demonstrated financial need and the student’s ability to maintain satisfactory academic progress. For many of the need-based financial aid programs, students must be enrolled for at least 6 credits per semester. In addition, for a student to be eligible for any federal financial aid, the student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States; have a high school diploma or equivalent; not be in default on a Federal Perkins Loan or Federal Stafford Loan; and be registered with Selective Service (if required).

Students who qualify for financial aid are notified in the form of a financial award letter.

Typically, this award letter is sent to accepted students in their admission packet. Continuing students will receive their award letters beginning in April prior to the fall semester upon receipt of their renewal application for financial aid and any other required documents.

All financial aid forms are located on the Financial Aid page of the Hood website.

Financial Aid Programs

Federal Pell Grants

Awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. Prorated awards may be made to eligible part-time students. Students must be pursuing their first baccalaureate degree.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Awarded to undergraduate students with the greatest demonstrated financial need. Students must be pursuing their first baccalaureate degree.

Hood Grants

Awarded to full-time undergraduates who demonstrate financial need. Funding is limited. Students must be pursuing their first baccalaureate degree.

Federal Work Study Program

This federally-funded need-based employment program enables eligible undergraduate students to earn money for miscellaneous expenses while gaining practical experience in on- and off-campus jobs.

Campus Employment

Awarded to students who are not eligible for federal work-study. Funded and administered by Hood College. Limited number of positions are available.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

A need-based student loan program offered to undergraduate and graduate students. The interest rate is fixed. No interest accrues and generally no payments are due while a student is enrolled on at least a half-time basis. Repayment generally begins six months after the student’s enrollment status drops below half-time.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Direct Loan

A non-need-based student loan program offered to undergraduate students. The interest rate is fixed. The six-month deferment applies only to repayment on the principal. Interest accrues when the loan is disbursed. Students are mailed quarterly interest statements at which time they may elect to pay the interest.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan

Parents may borrow up to the cost of education, minus any financial aid received, for each dependent undergraduate student. The interest rate is fixed. Repayment on principle and interest begins when the loan is disbursed, however deferment options are available.

Maryland State Scholarship Program

The Maryland Higher Education Commission offers several need-based scholarships and grants for Maryland residents. The scholarships and grants most frequently awarded to Hood students include, but are not limited to, the Educational Assistance Grant, the Guaranteed Access Grant, Senatorial Scholarship and Delegate Scholarship. In order to be considered for a Maryland State Scholarship, a student must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1. Some state scholarships may have additional application requirements. Please check with the Maryland Higher Education Commission-Student Financial Assistance at 800-974-0203 or www.mhec.state.md.us.

Veterans’ Educational Benefits

Hood College serves as a liaison/informational resource to veterans by providing Veterans Administration forms and certifying military students for benefits. To initiate or continue benefits, veterans must contact the Office of Financial Aid, 301-696-3411, at the beginning of each semester to complete the required paperwork, in compliance with the policies and procedures established by the Office of Financial Aid and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Information and application forms may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements for Financial Aid (SAP)

Process Overview and Responsibilities

In accordance with the U.S. Department of Education, the Office of Financial Aid at Hood College monitors undergraduate and graduate students after the spring semester each academic year for successful completion of satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards. For financial aid eligibility, terms are defined as fall, spring and summer. All students are measured on qualitative (grade-based) and quantitative (time-based) standards. Students who fail to meet SAP standards are not eligible for any financial aid unless an appeal is granted. Students who fail to meet SAP standards can only appeal one time and change their major one time.

Each semester a student must meet the following cumulative GPA standard:

Total Hours Attempted

Minimum GPA Requirement

1-25

1.50 GPA

26-38

1.60 GPA

39-50

1.70 GPA

51-63

1.90 GPA

64-124

2.00 GPA

In order to graduate, a student must have a minimum GPA of 2.0. If a student fails to meet the above GPA requirements, he/she will be suspended from financial aid but will have the opportunity to submit an appeal.

Quantitative Standards (time-based also referred to as PACE)

In order to maintain financial aid eligibility, the U.S. Department of Education requires a student to successfully complete 67% of the credits for which he/she attempted as shown in the example below:

Hood College Office of Financial Aid calculates the pace at which you are progressing in your SAP academic plan by dividing the cumulative number of credits you have successfully completed by the cumulative number of credits you have attempted. All periods of enrollment count when assessing quantitative standards, even periods in which the student did not receive financial aid.

Pace=Cumulative number of credits that you have successfully completed

Cumulative number of credits that you have attempted

Unsatisfactory grades of F, INC, AU, F, S and U do not count as completed courses but will count as attempted credits. In addition, repeated coursework is counted as attempted hours for financial aid eligibility. Students can only receive financial aid for a passed course one additional time. If the student registers for a previously passed course the third time, the course is ineligible for financial aid. Students are eligible up to 30 attempted hours for basic skills courses (reading, writing, mathematics) which are not counted in the quantitative standards. If a student exceeds 30 attempted hours without successful completion, the student becomes ineligible for financial aid and must pay for those courses prior to continuing at Hood College.

Transfer credits that count toward the student’s current program count as attempted and completed for financial aid eligibility.

Quantitative Standards (maximum timeframe)

Students must be making progress toward a degree. To quantify academic progress, Hood College must set a maximum timeframe in which you are expected to finish a program. A student must complete his/her program of study within 150% of the length of the program. If a student needs additional time to complete the degree, the student may submit an appeal for financial aid. Students at Hood College are expected to complete 124 credit hours to earn an undergraduate degree. Students are eligible to receive financial aid up to 186 attempted hours at Hood College (not including 30 credit hours for basic skills courses). If additional time is needed, students can submit an appeal to the Director of Financial Aid.

Financial Aid Suspension

Students are placed on financial aid suspension if they do not meet one or both of the SAP standards. Hood College monitors SAP annually at the end of spring semester and students are notified accordingly. Students are not given a warning period since the process is monitored once per academic year. Students have the option to appeal for financial aid once they are on suspension.

Appeals Process

Students on financial aid suspension may appeal in writing to the Director of Financial Aid. Appeals must be submitted by July 1 in order to review for the upcoming fall semester. Students must provide in writing the extenuating circumstance(s) why SAP was not made and submit any supporting documentation. The student must state how the situation has changed and what action will be taken in order to meet SAP standards at the next evaluation period (end of spring semester). If the appeal is for maximum timeframe, the Director of Financial Aid may request the student to submit an academic plan signed by his/her advisor. The Director of Financial Aid will notify the student if such documentation is needed for the appeal.

The Director of Financial Aid will review the appeal and notify the student in writing within ten business days of the decision. All decisions made by the Director of Financial Aid are final.

If the appeal is granted, students will be placed on financial aid probation for one semester and are expected to improve their SAP status by the end of the semester probation is granted. If, at that time, the student does not meet SAP standards, the student will be suspended from financial aid with no opportunity to appeal. If the student is successful, the student will be removed from probation and placed in good standing for financial aid eligibility. In order to be successful, the student must meet cumulative GPA standards and maintain a 67% cumulative passing rate. If the student is placed on academic plan and is following the plan, the student shall remain on probation until program completion and will be eligible for financial aid.

Merit Scholarships

Hood College has developed an extensive merit scholarship program that recognizes outstanding achievement and/or demonstrated talent and accomplishment in leadership, research, community service or writing. Students admitted to Hood are considered for merit scholarships at the time of admission. Some scholarships, however, are awarded through an interview process involving our Faculty Scholarship Committee.

Each year, Hood College awards more than $5 million in merit-based scholarships. Merit-based scholarships range from $2,000 to full-tuition.

From time to time, an individual student-applicant may qualify for consideration in more than one scholarship category. In such a case, the highest scholarship amount will take precedence in Hood’s awarding process. All are limited up to eight semesters.

Students are notified of yearly renewal criteria, including minimum grade point average, upon receipt of their financial aid award letter.

Founders Scholarship —awarded to incoming full-time first-year students who have the highest academic profiles and have shown leadership in school and community activities.

Hodson-Gilliam Scholarship —awarded to incoming full-time first-year students from ethnic backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in higher education. Applicants must have demonstrated high academic achievement.

Teacher Academy of Maryland Scholarship - awarded to incoming full-time first-year education majors who have successfully fulfilled required criteria for TAM program completion. In addition to the monetary scholarship, three (3) credits will be awarded to fulfill EDUC 204, a prerequisite education course.

Trailblazer Scholarship —awarded to incoming first-year students with strong records of academic performance and extracurricular involvement. These students show the potential to contribute to classroom activities and the Hood College community.

Recognition Award —awarded to incoming full-time first-year students who have the potential to succeed academically and have demonstrated leadership, commitment to community service and/or demonstrated talent.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship —awarded to incoming full-time transfer students who are Phi Theta Kappa members and have earned an A.A. or A.S. degree. Must be a Phi Theta Kappa member at the time of admission.

Legacy Scholarship —awarded to full-time, first year and first time transfer students whose parents earned a graduate degree from Hood College.

Scholarships and Awards

Endowed and annual scholarships are awarded according to the criteria of each scholarship.

Endowed Undergraduate Scholarships

The Office of Financial Aid evaluates students on an annual basis for these scholarships. Students are evaluated based upon academic interest and academic progress. In order to be considered for an endowed scholarship, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Other Prizes, Awards, Funds, Chairs and Professorships

The following lists include other established named prizes, awards, funds and chairs/professorships that are not offered by Financial Aid but are administered by the College in support of students, faculty, and campus facilities.

Undergraduate Prizes and Awards

The Accounting Leadership Prize

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs Leadership Award

The Leah B. Allen Award in Astronomy

The Alumni Award for Social Work Excellence

The American Institute of Chemists Foundation Award

The Elizabeth Yourtee Anderson ’82 History Prize

The ArachnidWorks Integrated Marketing Communication Award

The Art Department Alumnae Award

The Art Department Faculty Award

The Association for Women in Mathematics Book Prize

The Award in Nonprofit and Civic Engagement Studies

The Beta Beta Beta Award

The Biology Faculty Award

The Blue and Grey Editorial Award

The James R. Boston Prize

The Elizabeth B. Bower Prize

The Robert W. Boyle Outstanding Achievement in Statistics Award in Psychology

The Dr. Martha M. Briney ’35, H’78 Honor Scholarship

The Bromer Peace Award

The Grace N. Brown ’25 Prize in Mathematics

The Patricia Bucheimer Piano Prize

The Dana Cable Community Service Award in Psychology

The Larry T. Campbell Memorial Prize

The Julia Holzapfel Carhart ’30 Prizes in Mathematics

The Catherine Filene Shouse Center for Career Development and Experiential Education Distinguished Intern Award

The Chemistry Achievement Award

The Class of 1988 Volunteer Behind the Scenes Award

The Janice E. Cole Scholarship

The Janice E. Cole Writing Prize

The Computer Science Undergraduate Achievement Award

The Computer Science Faculty Prize

The Computer Science Chair’s Fund Prize

The Frances C. Cutujian Prize

The Joseph E. Dahms Community Service Award

The Emily Myers Davis ’43 Prize

The Department of Chemistry and Physics Faculty Award

The Department of Economics and Business Administration Book Prize

The Department of Economics and Business Administration Leadership Prize

The Johanna Chait Essex ’53 Prize in Early Childhood Education

The Exceptional Achievement Award in Psychology

The Margaret P. Ford Honor Scholarship

The Norm Gary Award

The Elaine Adrienne Gates Memorial Prize in Studio Art

The German Embassy Prize

The Bernard Gerrard Prize for “Mature” Students

The Raymond L. and Louise K. Gillard Prize

The Godman Prize in French*

The Ardine and Phyllis Gorden Music Scholar Prize

The Ardine and Phyllis Gorden Musical Talent Prize

The Suzanne Gottert ’68 Prize in Art

The Dr. Ruth Esther Griffith Biology Award

The “Grit” Award in Psychology

The Edenia Guillermo Award

The Kathryn E. Hale '04, M.S. '13 History Teaching Prize

The Shirley Conner Hardinge ’44 Prize

The Maureen Kelly Hess ’81 Prize

The Hood College Choir Award

The Hood College Prize in Ethics

The Hood College Retailing Club Prize

The C. May Hudson Prize

The Francis G. Hugo Prize in Psychology

The Hypatia Mathematics/Science Education Prize

The Dr. Robert Kaufmann German Prize

The Mary Ann Kerins Humanitarian Award

The George G. Kleinspehn Honor Scholarship

The Margaret Louise Kleist Prize

The Dr. Leonard Latkovski Memorial Prize in History

The Dr. Henry P. and M. Page Laughlin Student Award

The Law and Criminal Justice Prize

The E. Louise Leonard Prize

The Virginia E. Lewis Best Paper Award

The Virginia E. Lewis Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Political Science

The Logic Prize

The Marion MacPhail Prize

The Marie A. Markow Excellence in Music Prize

The Maryland Section of the American Chemical Society Prize

The Jane D. McCarrell Prize

The Helen McCullagh McCutcheon ’14 Prize

The Dr. Christine McHenry ’73 Corde et Mente et Manu Award

The Charlotte A. Moran ’57 Prize

The Music Department Special Award in Applied Music

The Wayne C. Neely Prize

The Kathryn Zimmerman Nicodemus H’05 Music Award

The Jack and Janet Spaulding Nunn ’61 Award for Best Elementary Arabic Student

The Jack and Janet Spaulding Nunn ’61 Award for Best Intermediate Arabic Student

The Jack and Janet Spaulding Nunn ’61 French Prize

The Vesta Hoffman Osler ’30 Chemistry Award

The Outstanding Research Contribution Award in Psychology

The Josephine Panarella Law and Criminal Justice Award

The Park-Dorff Award

The Florence A. Pastore Memorial Prize

The George C. Pearson Prize

The Pi Mu Epsilon Book Prize

The Hildegarde Pilgram ’31 Prize

The James B. Ranck Book Prize in American History

The Mary Ellen Randolph Prize

The Anna Louise Remsen ’33 Prize in Art

The Mary Margaret Rose Award

The Rouse Graduate Scholarship

The Linda Scott Outstanding Mentorship Award in Psychology

The SGA Student Leader of the Year Award

The Esther E. Shaw Award

The Sidney Silverman Award

The Linda Mae Snapp Memorial Award in Nursing

The William Sprigg Prize

The Margaret Condron Sterner ’39 Scholarship

The Charles E. Tressler Outstanding Student Award

The Aldan T. Weinberg ’75 Communication Arts Prize

The Alyce T. Weinberg Honor Scholarship

The White Blazer Award

The Elizabeth Leiby Wood ’38 Prize

The Linda Wyatt ’68 and Marleen Spriggs ’69 Award in African American Studies

The Sophia M. Libman National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Professorship

The McHenry Dean of the Chapel

The Eleanor S. Pearson Professor Fund

The Hildegarde Pilgram Chair in History

The Andrew G. Truxal Chair of Economics and Sociology

The Whitaker Chair in Chemistry

Reduced Tuition Opportunities

Hood offers several opportunities for reduced tuition, including programs for older citizens and Hood alumnae and alumni.

Encore Program

The Encore Program enables Hood alumnae and alumni who hold a B.A. or B.S. from Hood to take undergraduate courses at one-half tuition.

Family Tuition Plan

When two or more members of the same family are enrolled at Hood College, the Family Tuition Plan provides an annual grant of $2,000 (to be divided equally between the fall and spring semesters) to the second member of the family. A family is defined as a parent, dependent child and/or dependent child’s sibling. Under the Family Tuition Plan, both members of the family must be enrolled as full-time traditional undergraduate students.

All students admitted under the Family Tuition Plan must meet the regular admissions standards of the College, as appropriate. The Family Tuition Plan applies to tuition only and does not apply to the board or other fees.

Renewal Not Retirement

Hood’s Renewal Not Retirement (RNR) program offers persons 60 years of age or older the opportunity to audit undergraduate courses. Studio and lab courses, practicums and self-directed study courses are not available for audit. The cost is $100 per course.

Through an integration of the liberal arts and the professions, Hood College provides an education that empowers students to use their hearts, minds and hands to meet personal, professional and global challenges and to lead purposeful lives of responsibility, leadership, service and civic engagement.